Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Summary

This position serves as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist with responsibility for performing, developing, writing, implementing and refining procedures. The incumbent will be required to work varying eight-hour shifts from Monday through Friday. Additionally, the incumbent will be required to provide clinic after-hours (on call), weekend, and holiday coverage as assigned.

Duties

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Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Receiving and interpreting requests for procedures.
• Evaluating the suitability of the procedure requests and obtaining physician review if request is thought to be inappropriate.
• Securing patient's confidence and cooperation.
• Selecting, performing, evaluating and monitoring the performance of test procedures using manual and/or instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols.
• Recognizing and reacting to indicators of malfunction; locates and implements corrections.
• Performing and monitoring special studies including liver, brain, bone, lung, cardiovascular, and endocrine studies, and assists physician with radiopharmaceutical therapies (Lu-177 Dotatate, Iodine-131, Samarium-153, Strontium-89, Yttrium-90 Zevalin, and Radium-223). Studies include planar-singlephoton imaging, SPECT, SPECT/CT, and PET/CT scans. CT training and credentialing is required.
• Producing and assessing high quality fusion and quality control images using independent judgment to recognize abnormal or unacceptable results.
• Demonstrating practical knowledge and skill in the use of ancillary equipment with an understanding of how the results will affect the study outcome.
• Operating, maintaining, calibrating, standardizing, and adjusting instruments.
• Verifying correct instrument operation using established procedures and quality control checks and monitoring. Identifying the cause of common problems and makes simple corrections.
• Evaluating the validity of data in relation to the ordered procedure and accepted procedural protocols.
• Correlating image and quantitative data with patient data (i.e., history, medications) to verify results.
• Performing additional tests to clarify or confirm abnormal patient results. Recognizes abnormal results that require immediate attention by the physician and reports them directly.
• Generating and verifying laboratory results and transfer of data from the work area into the imaging Picture Archiving and Communication System (P ACS).
• Implementing or assisting in implementing Radiation Safety Program that is tasked with ensuring that radiation safety activities are being performed in accordance with approved and required NHPP and NRC procedures and principles of ALARA.
• Keeping records and documentation of the Radiation Safety Program on file and readily accessible for inspections.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm OR 8:30am - 5:00pm. After hours and weekend call by rotation.

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position

Functional Statement #: 000000

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Certification: All applicants must be certified in nuclear medicine technology by the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) or the American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT) (N). NMTCB or ARRT (N) certification eligibility requirements are normally satisfied by one of the following:
  
  • (1) Completion of a NMTCB-recognized nuclear medicine technology program,
    
    • OR
  • (2) Completion of a nuclear medicine technology program accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT), or other accrediting agencies as recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), culminating in a certificate, associate, baccalaureate, or master's degree. Educational programs must have structured clinical training sufficient to provide clinical competency in radiation safety, instrumentation, clinical procedures, and radio-pharmacy, as deemed acceptable by the NMTCB.

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements above, the following criteria must also be met:

Experience: One (1) year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-09) directly related to the position being filled, AND

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs:

• i. Ability to produce and assess high quality scans and quality control images using independent judgement to recognize abnormal or unacceptable results.
• ii. Knowledge and skill in use of ancillary equipment with an understanding of how the results will affect the study outcome.
• iii. Knowledge of physiologic processes as they relate to altered radiopharmaceutical uptake and/or artefactual findings.
• iv. Ability to obtain, assess, and document pre-therapy patient preparation information and provide post-therapy patient education following proper administration of advanced therapy dose.
• v. Ability to develop new protocols for imaging procedures.
• vi. Ability to analyze instances of increased radiation exposure levels and recommend measures to reduce.
• vii. Ability to analyze consequences of improper packaging of radioactive material and take appropriate actions.

NOTE: Experience that meets the KSAs above must be described in your resume in order to receive credit for this position.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11.

Physical Requirements: Able to lift and carry moderately heavy objects 15-44 pounds, able to use both hands, all fingers, able to walk and stand a minimum of 4 hours. Able to use both legs and engage in repeated bending for 4 hours. Vision in both eyes, able to distinguish basic colors, able to distinguish shades of colors, hearing with or without aids, able to rotate trunk side to side and able to sit 50 plus minutes.

Education

No education requirement for this position/grade level.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.